• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.212-225
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• 1995

This study was performed in a diatomite factory located at Pohang City, Kyeongsangbuk-Do. The major objectives were to evaluate sampling and analytical methods of diatomaceous earth dust. Concentrations of total and respirable diatomaceous earth dust were measured. Size distribution of dust was analyzed by a personal cascade impactor and the particle size analyzer which is an application of multiple diffraction method. Also crystalline silica in respirable and total dust samples was analyzed quantitatively by X-ray diffraction and Fourie Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR). The results were as follows: The airborne total and respirable dust concentrations, particle size distribution, and cristalline silica(quartz) concentrations showed approximately a log-normal distribution. The means of totaldust concentrations at flour maufacturing, fire brick grinding and packaging processes exceeded the Korean and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists standards, $10mg/m^3$. The size distribution of diatomaceous earth dust was log-normal and identified as the rspirable particle mass and thoracic particle mass. The crystalline silica in respirable and total dust samples was identified to quartz and contained about 10 % in those samples. Finally, it is necessary to study the applicability of multiple diffraction for particle size distribution to compare the ACGIH's size selective sampling with other materials containing crystalline silica. Also, advanced quantitative study to X-ray diffraction and FTIR methods shoud be carried out 10 verify general and specific characteristics for respirable crystalline silica.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.130-142
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• 2009

This study compared FTIR with XRD method for the analysis of quartz by % recovery, coefficient of variation (CV) and influence of the interference. the results were as the following. 1. In FTIR method, the coefficient of determination ($r^2$) was 0.9998 in a calibration curve of $695\;cm^{-1}$, and the limit of detection was $4.9{\mu}g/sample$. 2. The highest recovery was $799\;cm^{-1}$ (98.2%). 3. The CVpooled of the FTIR method was approximately 10% in three wave numbers. 4. The analysis of qualitative and quantitative for quartz is difficult with mixed cristobalite and iron oxide. 5. In XRD method with rotating sample holder and LynxEye detector, the coefficient of determination was 0.9996 in a calibration curve, and the limit of detection was $5.9{\mu}g/sample$. 6. The recovery and CV pooled were 104.3%, and 11 %, respectively. 7. In muffle furnace ashing, the quartz weight decreased to 34% when the maximum weight of the iron oxide was more than eight times. In conclusion, the accuracy (% recovery) and precision (CV) of FTIR and XRD method for analyzing $\alpha$-quartz were similar. FTIR method was a disadvantage for sample matrix because it indicates possibility of interference. However, XRD method distinguished specific crystalline forms of silica, and the majority of silicate minerals. In addition, XRD method recommend filter dissolution to pretreatment method.